Method for inhibiting pain impulses in the nerve pathways of human beings and animals

ABSTRACT

According to a method of inhibiting pain pulses in the nerves of humans and animals and a device for carrying out the method the positive pole of an electrically uncharged capacitor is contacted with the skin surface around the place of pain in the body or the excited nerve from outside or fixedly applied there. In an excitation state, caused by a state of pain, of the nerves the pulse-like voltage peaks, which arise on voltage reversal in the nerves, are reduced or completely smoothed out by the electric flux of the capacitor.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a method and device for inhibiting pain pulsesin the nerves of humans and animals.

Pain is one of the commonest symptoms of illness or tissue damage or ametabolic disturbance. The pain is noticeable when mechanical, thermal,chemical or electrical stimuli exceed a certain threshold value.

Therapeutic analgesics which to some extent have a very strong actionwith just as strong side effects for humans, animals and the environmentare used in combating pain.

Pain conduction in the nerve paths of humans and animals takes place byions which migrate along to the electrically charged membrane of thenerve. A quiescent membrane is positively charged outside and negativelycharged inside. The potential or voltage of the outer side relative tothe inside is about 70 millivolts (mV) in the pain-free quiescent state(equilibrium rest potential). At the moment of excitation by pain, thechanges reverse, whereby In the case of humans the potential decays over{fraction (1/1000)} second by about 100 mV to the negative side, i.e. toa value of −30 mV from the outside to the inside. The frequency of therising and falling phase, which occurs due to migration of ions, of thepeak potential is approximately proportional to the intensity of pain tobe transmitted. The speed of conduction of the nerve action can be up to100 m/sec in the case of humans.

The invention therefore has the object of providing a method and adevice for the inhibiting of pain pulses in the nerves of humans andanimals, which do not have the disadvantages of medicinal treatment ofpain, are completely free of side effects, function without auxiliaryenergy, can be made and sold economically and do not cause anyenvironmental loading in operation and disposal of waste.

This object is met by the features indicated in claim 1.

In further refinement of the invention it is regarded as advantageousthat:

a) the capacitor or several capacitors in parallel connection areaccommodated in a dosed housing, that the positive pole of the or eachcapacitor is connected with a large-area spherically rounded metal shelland the negative pole of the or each capacitor similarly with anoppositely disposed, spherically rounded metal shell, and that thenegative potential is led to ground by way of the hand of the patient orthe therapist;

b) the capacitance of the capacitor or the total capacitance of thecapacitors connected in parallel is at least 10,000 microfarads (μF);

c) one or more capacitors are mounted in fixed location in furniture forsifting or lying on or in the bed of the patient and that the positivepole or poles thereof comes or come to constantly bear against theplaces of pain in the patient and the negative pole or poles is or areapplied to ground and

d) one or more capacitors in special flat mode of construction are heldby means of a bandage at the pain-conducting parts of the body or heldin the clothing of the patient against the pain-conducting parts of thebody, wherein the positive pole is directed to the place of pain and thenegative pole is drained off to a remote part of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject of the invention is described in the following.

An embodiment of the subject of the invention for manual use isreproduced in FIG. 1; and

various implementations of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2-5.

The subject of the invention consists of a tubular housing 1, electriccapacitors 2 and 3, metal shells 4 and 5, contact plates 6 and 7,conductor wires 8, 9. 10 and 11, compression springs 12 and 13, andspring holder 14 with spring clips 16 and 17 and connecting web 15.

Installed In the tubular housing 1, which consists of a nonconductivematerial, are, for example, two rod capacitors 2 and 3 which areparallel to the centre axis of the tubular housing 1 and from thecylindrical ends of which project the conductor wires 8, 9, 10 and 11.The respective like-poled ends of the conductor wires 8, 9 and 10, 11are soldered to contact plates 6 and 7, so that a parallel connection ofthe capacitors 2 and 3 results. Screwed into the respective tubeopenings of the tubular housing 1 at both ends are metal shells 4 and 5,which produce a constant contact between the metal shells 4 and 5 andthe capacitors 2 and 3 by way of the compression springs 12 and 13, thecontact plates 6 and 7 and the conductor wires 8, 9, 10 and 11. Thenumber of capacitors depends on the constructional design of the subjectof the invention and on the size of the desired capacitor capacitance.

In readiness selling. i.e. when the subject of the invention is not inuse, this is retained in a spring holder 14 in such a manner that thesubject of the invention is clamped between two conductive spring clips16 and 17, whereby a throughflow connection between the metal shell 4and the metal shell 5 is produced at the same time by way of the springclip 16, the connecting web 15 and the spring clip 17. It is ensured bythis short-circuit of the capacitors 2 and 3 that the subject of theinvention always comes into use free of potential or charge when this Isremoved from the spring clip.

In use of the subject of the invention against an attack of pain, thetubular housing 1 is unclipped by the fingers in such a manner that themetal shell 5 (negative pole side) comes to lie against the hollow innerhand. The oppositely disposed end with the metal shell 4 (positive poleside) is pressed with light pressure against the place of pain in thebody. A conductive connection is thereby produced between the nerve,which is conducting the pain signal, and the positive pole side of thecapacitors 2 and 3 via the tissue and skin surface. The pulse-likevoltage peaks, which occur on voltage inversion, in the nerve are thusreduced by the electric flux with the capacitors 2 and 3 or completelysmoothed out. The nerve concerned thus signals freedom of pain to thebrain.

Tests have shown that, for example in the case of strong back, muscle,joint and sciatica pains and in the case of painful calf cramps theintensity of pain was reduced abruptly or in switchlike manner to zeroafter about four (4) minutes through use of the subject of theinvention. This means that the stronger the pain and thus analogouslythe voltage and pulse frequency in the nerve, the greater and moreeffective the compensation by the capacitors 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment a pole contact of an unchargedelectrical capacitor 20 is made through contact with a skin surface 21of a person, such that the uncharged electrical capacitor 20 in a fixedlocation in a piece of furniture 22, for sitting or lying, such as achair, couch or bed, so that the positive pole 4 comes to constantlybear against the place of pain and a negative pole 5 is applied to aground. In a further embodiment, a plurality of electrical capacitor 20′may be connected in parallel and fixed to the furniture 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, pole contact of an uncharged electrical capacitor 20is made through contact with a skin surface 23, wherein the capacitor 20is fixed by means of a piece of material 24 against pain-conductingparts of a body of a patient so that the positive pole 4 of thecapacitor 20 is directed to the place of pain and a negative pole 5 isdrained off to remote parts of the body. In a further embodiment, aplurality of electrical capacitors 20′ are connected in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a further embodiment, pole contact of anuncharged electrical capacitor 20 is made through contact with a skinsurface 23 by covering the surface of the skin 23 over the place of painby means of a conductive metal foil 25, which contacts the skin surface23. The foil is then connected with an uncharged electrical capacitor 20directly or by use of a cable 26. Also a second uncharged electricalcapacitor 20′, connected in parallel, may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to a further embodiment, pole contact ofan uncharged electrical capacitor 20 a, or a plurality of unchargedelectrical capacitors 20 a′, is made by a conductive connection with alarge-volume artery 26 of a patient directly. Alternatively, polecontact of an uncharged electrical capacitor 20 b, or a plurality ofuncharged electrical capacitors 20 b′, may be made through contactindirectly via the surface of the skin. Further, an electrical capacitor20 c may be used as an implant having a pole 4 c contact the artery 26.A plurality of uncharged electrical capacitors 20 c, may also be used asimplants. capacitors 20 c′ may be connected in parallel and fixed to thefurniture 22.

The use must be prolonged somewhat more, perhaps ten (10) minutes, ifthe nerve of a more deeply seated organ is to be treated, becausepossible air voids or bone parts attenuate the electric flux to thecapacitors 2 and 3.

The time for the ensuing freedom of pain subjectively assessed by thepatient after a treatment was reported at about two (2) hours to severaldays, wherein compensation for strong pains lasts rather longer in termsof time than for less-strong pains.

It is self-evident that voltage peaks in the thus-called motor nerves,for example in the case of a tremor attack, can also be reduced orsmoothed out by the subject of the invention.

It has also been found that a short-circuit bridge between the positiveand negative poles of the capacitors 2 and 3 increases the dynamiccapacity of the capacitors 2 and 3. This has the advantage that thecapacitors 2 and 3 in the static state are no longer permanentlychargeable and thus undesired discharging currents and dischargingvoltages are at the same time made impossible.

The dynamic pulse-like electric flux around the static zero potential ofthe capacitors 2 and 3 relative to the nerve is thereby improved in therange of about 3 to 500 Hertz. The spring holder 15, 16, 17 for thedischarging of the capacitors over time can be omitted.

If the place of pain or the pain-transmitting nerve cannot be clearlylocalised, it is then advantageous to cover the place of pain at theskin surface with a metal foil, for example an aluminium foil, to wrapextremities, for example an arm or a leg, with the metal foil, and toconnect the foil directly or by means of cable with the short-circuitedcapacitors 2 and 3, this procedure is also indicated for headaches ofunknown genesis.

A further very effective method of treatment of pain is also achieved bya direct or indirect contact of the subject of the invention with largevolume arteries. If, for example, the contact pole of the subject of theinvention is brought to bear against the skin surface directly at thecarotid artery (Carotis), then a conductive connection between theshort-circuited capacitors 2 and 3 in the subject of the invention andthe conductive pulsating blood in the artery is thereby produced andthus at the same time an electric flux between nerves, which are excitedin pain, everywhere in the body of the patient and the subject of theinvention. Both carotid arteries can also be brought Into contactingconnection at the same time with the subject of the Invention by anexternal bridge, for example by means of a metal foil or a conductivemetal neck band.

This process is thus to be understood in the sense that the capacitivefield of the capacitors 2 and 3 in the subject of the invention is alsoextended to the entire volume of blood of the patient. Thus, apart fromblocking pain, the electric potential enhanced in the vegetative nervoussystem by the pick up of so-called “electro-smog” from the environmentor by change in weather can be reduced and thus a better well-being isimparted to the patient.

It is obvious that the subject of the invention can also be implanted,for example in miniature mode of construction, as a permanent unit belowthe skin surface in direct or indirect contact with an artery.

It is possible that the person or animal is disposed in a water bed,which in turn is connected with short-circuited capacitors of increasedcapacity, for the purpose of pain therapy.

The subject of the invention has meanwhile been successfully proven manytimes, wherein the use success rate in the case of intact, undamagednerves lies at almost 100%.

Reference Numeral List

1. tubular housing

2. electric capacitor

3. electric capacitor

4. metal shell

5. metal shell

6. contact plate

7. contact plate

8. conductor wire

9. conductor wire

10. conductor wire

11. conductor wire

12. compression spring

13. compression spring

14. spring holder

15. connecting web

16. spring clip

17. spring clip

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of inhibiting pain pulses in the nervesof humans and animals, wherein the pain pulse in a nerve is made up ofexcitation states of nerve cells in the form of a pulse-like currentwith corresponding voltage peaks, the method comprising the steps of:causing a pain pulse to be displaced in phase by displacing thepulse-like current together with voltage peaks of the pulse-like currentin phase so that the pain pulse is one of reduced and eliminated by aneffect of the phase displacement, and wherein said step of causing thepain pulse to be displaced in phase includes bringing a pole ofuncharged electrical capacitance means into contact with a skin surfaceover a place of an excited nerve, and one of reducing and completelysmoothing out the voltage peaks of the pain pulse through a capacitancecurrent of the capacitance means.
 2. A method according to claim 1,wherein the pole contact is produced by mounting an uncharged electricalcapacitor in a fixed location in one of a piece of furniture and a bedof a patient so that a positive pole comes to constantly bear againstthe place of pain and a negative pole is applied to a ground.
 3. Amethod according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of uncharged electricalcapacitors are used which are connected parallel so that the respectivepositive poles come to constantly bear against the place of pain and therespective negative poles are applied to a ground.
 4. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein the pole contact is produced by fixing an unchargedelectrical capacitor by means of one of a bandage and cloth againstpain-conducting parts of a body of a patient so that a positive pole ofthe capacitor is directed to the place of pain and respective negativepoles are drained off to remote parts of the body.
 5. A method accordingto claim 4, wherein a plurality of uncharged electrical capacitors areused which are connected in parallel so that the respective positivepoles are directed to the place of pain and the respective negativepoles are applied to a ground.
 6. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe pole contact is produced by covering a large area of a deep-seatedplace of pain in a patient at the surface of the skin over the place ofpain by means of a conductive metal foil contacting the skin surface allaround the place of pain; and connecting the foil by one of a directconnection or by way of cable with an uncharged electrical capacitor. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of unchargedelectrical capacitors are used which are connected in parallel.
 8. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the pole contact is produced bybringing an uncharged electrical capacitor into a conductive connectionwith a large-volume artery by one of making a connection 1) directly and2) indirectly via the surface of the skin.
 9. The method according toclaim 8, wherein a plurality of uncharged electrical capacitors are usedwhich are connected in parallel.
 10. A method of inhibiting pain pulsesin the nerves of humans and animals, wherein the pain pulse in a nerveis made up of excitation states of nerve cells in the form of apulse-like current with corresponding voltage peaks, the methodcomprising the steps of: causing a pain pulse to be displaced in phaseby displacing the pulse-like current together with voltage peaks of thepulse-like current in phase so that the pain pulse is one of reduced andeliminated by an effect of the phase displacement, wherein said step ofcausing the pain pulse to be displaced in phase includes bringing anuncharged electrical capacitor into a conductive connection with alarge-volume artery of a patient as an implant, and one of reducing andcompletely smoothing out the voltage peaks of the pain pulse through acapacitance current of the capacitance means.
 11. The method accordingto claim 10, wherein a plurality of uncharged electrical capacitors areused which are connected in parallel.
 12. A method according to claim 1,wherein the pole contact is produced by disposing one of a person andanimal in a water bed and connecting the bed with an unchargedelectrical capacitor.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein aplurality of uncharged electrical capacitors are used which areconnected in parallel.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein thecapacitance of the capacitance least 10,000 microfarads.
 15. A devicefor carrying out the method according to claim 10, comprising one of anelectrical capacitor and a plurality of electrical capacitors connectedin parallel and accommodated in a housing, a positive pole of the oreach capacitor being connected with a large-area spherically roundedmetal shell and a negative pole of the or each capacitor being similarlyconnected with an oppositely disposed, spherically rounded metal shell,the negative pole being contactable with one of a hand of a patient andtherapist to lead a negative potential to ground.
 16. A device accordingto claim 15, wherein the positive and negative poles of the capacitor oreach of the capacitors are permanently connected together by means of ashort-circuit bridge to form a resonant circuit.